Following the verbal attack on judiciary by Plateau State People’s Democratic Party (PDP), no fewer than 500 lawyers stormed the Court of Appeal in Abuja on Thursday, condemning the action.
The lawyers, led by Sylvanus Okpe, Convener of the Lawyers of Conscience group, condemned the action, stating that it is “campaign of calumny” against the justices of the Court of Appeal.
According to Okpe, the recent sponsored criticisms directed at the recent judgment of the Court of Appeal in Plateau State is tantamount to an assault on the judiciary.
While stating the organisation’s dedication to upholding the rule of law and democracy in Nigeria, Okpe urged the justices to take into consideration, the dire consequences of the PDP’s actions on the court’s reputation and integrity.
“While it is succinct to state that the Justices of the Court of Appeal delivered a sound judgment in line with the provisions of the law, the diatribe perpetuated by the PDP smacks of mockery and an attempt to ridicule the judiciary,” Okpe declared.
He further alleged the the PDP of breaching a subsisting court order in a specific suit, pointing out that the violation was capable of rendering the elections of PDP candidates in the National Assembly null and void for lacking party structure. He made a comparison with the Supreme Court’s nullification of APC candidates’ elections in Zamfara State in 2019.
He emphasized that the party’s “campaign of calumny” against the judiciary is a self serving quest to discredit the judiciary’s impartiality in Nigeria.
He said, “The reputation and integrity of the appellate court are at stake. The issues canvassed by the PDP lack merit and substance, and as such, the judiciary must not succumb to blackmail to ensure that justice is served.”
He also advised that the judiciary should stand firm in defence of the sanctity of the appellate court, and not bow to the pressure and gimmicks of the PDP, adding that an independent, strong, respected, and respectable judiciary was crucial for impartial administration of a true democratic system.
“Lessons must be learned on the implications of flouting court orders. Contempt of court is an affront to the authority and dignity of the court. A court order must be obeyed until it is set aside on appeal. There is no evidence that the subsisting court order in the conduct of fresh ward congress for the PDP in Plateau state was appealed.
“His Lordship may wish to grant our prayers that the Court of Appeal rejects the position of the PDP in Plateau State with regards to the outcome of the judgement of the Court of Appeal sacking PDP members of the National Assembly for lack of party structure that rendered their eligibility to stand for election null and void,” he declared.
